Paving crack sealer machine

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for delivering a fluid material to a crack in a surface when the ambient temperature drops to a level which would otherwise preclude satisfactory flow of the material utilizes a heated delivery valve and heat sink to maintain an elevated temperature. A source of heat such as a gas burner is in direct heat exchange relationship with the heat sink to raise the temperature to the desired level and heat radiating from the source as well as the heat sink maintains the temperature sufficiently high to assure an adequate flow of material. A depending crack follower structure has a projection extending into the crack and is mounted for pivotal movement about both horizontal and vertical axes. This allows the projection to follow an irregular crack and avoid being damaged by an unyielding object in the crack. Yieldable biasing means normally holds the structure in perpendicular relationship to the surface but will yield under force to accommodate pivotal movement. Also, the horizontal and vertical axes of pivotal movement are disposed in spaced relationship thus precluding any form of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;universal&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; movement about axes or planes other than the two perpendicular axes.

United States Patent 1191 Goethe et a1.

[ 1 Mar. 25, 1975 1 1 PAVING CRACK SEALER MACHINE [75] Inventors: RobertL. Goethe, Tampa, Fla;

Robert R. Green, Kansas City, Mo.

221 Filed: Aug. 2, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 385,097

Related U.S. Application Data 63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.224,482, Feb. 8,

1972, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 404/107 [51] Int. Cl. E016 23/02 [58] Field of Search..404/107,111,89,93, 118; 222/146 R, 146 H [56] References Cited UNlTEDSTATES PATENTS 1,698,015 1/1929 Fitzgerald 404/107 2,530,777 1 1/1950Middlestadt 404/107 2,578,080 12/1951 Middlestadt 404/107 .l,130,(i52-1/19o4 Newton 404/107 .1, 1 83,80} 5/1905 Gierhart 404/111 3,227,0551/1966 Glade... 404/107 3,280,710 10/1966 Glade 404/107 3,432,969 3/1969Byttebier 404/89 X Primary LIraminer-Nile C. Byers, Jr. Almrncy, Agent,or FirmKircher, Wharton & Bowman Lowe, Kokjer [57] ABSTRACT Apparatusfor delivering a fluid material to a crack in a surface when the ambienttemperature drops to a level which would otherwise preclude satisfactoryHow of the material utilizes a heated delivery valve and heat sink tomaintain an elevated temperature. A source of heat such as a gas burneris in direct heat exchange relationship with the heat sink to raise thetemperature to the desired level and heat radiating from the source aswell as the heat sink maintains the temperature sufficiently high toassure an adequate flow of material. A depending crack followerstructure has a projection extending into the crack and is mounted forpivotal movement about both horizontal and vertical axes. This allowsthe projection to follow an irregular crack and avoid being damagedby'an unyielding object in the crack. Yieldable biasing means normallyholds the structure in perpendicular relationship to the surface butwill yield under force to accommodate pivotal movement. Also, thehorizontal and vertical axes of pivotal movement are disposed in spacedrelationship thus precluding any form o1- universal" movement about axesor planes other than the two perpendicular axes.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 PAVING CRACK SEALER MACHINE Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of our previously filedapplication Ser. No. 224,482 entitled Paving Crack Sealer Machine filedFeb. 8, 1972 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to maintenance equipment and more particularly toapparatus for delivering a fluid material to a surface. With pouredconcrete and other equivalent materials which are used to present asurface, aging of the surface invariably results in cracks beingpresented in the surface. In addition, in many instances it is necessaryto leave expansion joints in the surface whichjoints are filled with ayieldable material. Particularly with paved surfaces such as highwayspreventive maintenance requires that cracks in the surface beperiodically cleaned of any material that has accumulated in the cracksand the cracks then be filled with an asphaltic type of material toprevent further deterioration.

Prior techniques for filling cracks in pavement have largely dependedupon a number of manual laborers with hand pots, thus resulting in atedious and timeconsuming procedure. Prior art techniques have also beenlimited by the fact that at very low temperatures the molten materialused to fill cracks in pavement is highly viscous and cannotsatisfactorily be poured. Even when the temperature is not so low as toabsolutely preclude crack filling, it has heretofore been found that asthe temperature drops the crack filling procedure becomes substantiallymore difficult.

While there have been machines utilizing heated tanks to move over acrack and supply the molten material to it at low temperatures, thesedevices have been largely unsatisfactory because of their inability toaccurately follow an irregular crack. A particular problem in providinga guiding mechanism for a crack filling machine is that because thecracks are normally quite irregular with many relatively slightvariations in direction, any guiding mechanism must be closelyassociated with the material delivery structure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparatusfor delivering a fluid material to a surface wherein the delivery valveanddelivery conduit are heated to accommodate free flow of the materialand wherein guiding mechanism is provided to guide the apparatus alongan irregular crack.

As a corollary to the above object, an aim of this invention is toprovide apparatus having structure for guiding it along an irregularcrack which may be operated by relatively unskilled workers and whereinthe results obtained are superior to those obtained utilizing onlymanual means to follow an irregular crack.

It is also an objective of this invention to provide a guide mechanismfor apparatus for delivering a fluid material to a crack in a surfacewherein the guide mechanism is associated with the fluid materialdelivery structure so that the material is always delivered to the crackeven when the latter follows a highly irregular path with many sharpvariations in direction.

Still another objective of this invention is to provide apparatus asdescribed in the foregoing objects wherein the handlebars of theapparatus also present a bracket which allows the apparatus to be hungover the endgate of a truck, thus eliminating the need of the apparatusto always be lifted completely into the truck when it is to betransported.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the crack follower structureand delivery means of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the heatconductive block which comprises the material delivery means of theapparatus;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the crackfollower structure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view illustrating thevertical axis for pivotal movement of the crack follower structure andassociated housing; and

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view taken along reference line 66 of FIG. 2.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 wherein the'apparatus of the presentinvention is designated generally by themmeral 10, apparatus 10 includesa vehicle designated generally by the numeral 12 that is intended to bemoved over a surface 14 having a crack 16 therein which is to be filledwith a thermoplastic fluid material. Vehicle 12 comprises a frame 18which is supported upon a pair of aligned, spaced-apart rear wheels 20(one of which is visible in FIG. 1) and a third wheel 22 spacedforwardly of and intermediate the wheels 20. Forward wheel 22 is freelyrotatable about a vertical axis to facilitate steering of vehicle 12.Extending upwardly from frame 18 away from surface 14, and rigid withthe frame, are a pair of handlebars 24 (one of same being visible inFIG. 1) which are intended to be grasped by an operator to steer thevehicle along surface 14. Each handlebar 24 may be partially supportedby a T-brace 26 which is welded to the handlebar and to frame 18. At theterminal end of each handlebar 24 is a longitudinal extending,vertically depending element 28 that is welded or otherwise rigidlysecured to the handlebar and a corresponding T-brace 26. Element 28cooperates with brace 26 and handlebar 24 to present a bracket which incooperation with the corre-. sponding bracket of the other handlebarallows apparatus 10 to be hung from the endgate of a truck. Thiseliminates the need to load the entire apparatus 10 completely into thetruck when it is necessary to move it short distances over a highway.

Disposed atop the frame 18 is an insulated tank '30 and a second tank 32containing a source of fuel such as LP. gas. Tank is normally providedwith a layer of thermal insulation 34 of suitable material such asFiberglass, expanded foam, or the like. Tank 30 is providedwith a hingedtop 36 to allow the tank to be filled with a suitable crack fillingmaterial including asphalts, cut-backs, and emulsions. The material isnormally heated to a relatively high temperature before it is introducedinto tank 30, and insulation 34 assures that heat loss will be minimizedwhile the material is being applied.

Depending from frame 18 beneath tank 30 is a housing 38 which isprovided with a hinged door 40 to allow access to the interior of thehousing. At least partially enclosed within housing 38 are a deliverystructure 42, a conduit 44, and a burner 46. Delivery structure 42normally comprises a block formed from aluminum or other heat conductivematerial and serves both as a delivery valve and as a heat sink for theinterior of the housing 38. Structure 42 has a through-bore 48 comprisedof a generally vertical segment 50 and a horizontal segment52. It isgenerally desired to maximize the length of bore 48 for maximum heatingof the material and the perpendicular segments at the peripheral edgesof structure 42 serve this end. Vertical segment 50 is disposed inalignment with an opening 54 in the bottom of tank 30 and conduit 55communicates segment 50 with opening 54. A second generally verticalbore 56 in structure 42 intersects segment 52 and receives a threadedfitting 57 defining an outlet opening 58. Bore 56 thus presents ahousing for a plunger valve 60 which is movable vertically to varyingdegrees to either partially or completely block bore 48. To this end acable 61 may be coupled with plunger 60 and with a handle grip 65secured to one of the handlebars 24. An operator may pull on grip 65 toraise plunger 60 and open the passage through structure 42. A firstcollar 62 rigid with plunger 60 and a second collar 64 which is rigid tohousing 38 and telescopically receives plunger 60, serve to mountyieldable means in the form of a coil spring 66 which biases plungervalve 60 downwardly into a passage-closing position and yields under theforce of an operator pulling on handle 65. The end of bore 48 is blockedby an appropriate fitting 68 which is threadably received and may beremoved for cleanout purposes.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, burner 46 is disposed with its burner tip70 directed against structure 42. A conduit 72 couples burner tip 70with the fuel in tank 32 through a control valve 74 and a fuel line 76.A thermocouple 80 is also coupled through a line 78 with valve 74 tocontrol the flow of fuel to burner 46 when the latter is operating. Theend of thermocouple 80 is disposed immediately above burner 46 and bothburner and thermocouple are held in place by a common bracket 82 mountedon the bottom of housing 38. A hand valve 84 is operable to providemeans for effecting major incremental variations in the flow of fuel toburner 46. Hand valve 84 is normally provided with a number of differentsettings one of which is chosen at the outset of operation of apparatusas dictated by the particular material being applied to surface 14.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 46, the end of structure 42 from whichoutlet opening 58 extends projects beyond the sidewall of housing 38 soas to allow flow of material into crack 16. This end of structure 42also has a pair of angle braces 86 secured to it by bolts 88 with thebraces being disposed in spaced apart relationship to mount a U-shapedframework 90. Framework 90 has a block 92 disposed at its lowermost endbetween the legs of the framework which block has a through-bore formounting a crack follower projecting rod 94. A pin 96 extends throughblock 92 and the braces 86 to pivotally mount the framework 90, block92, and rod 94 for movement about a horizontal axis.

Disposed above block 92 and also rigid with framework 90 is an L-bracket98 to which one end ofa coil spring 100 is fastened. The other end ofspring 100 is secured to a third angle brace 102 mounted on the side ofstructure 42 which is opposite the side to which braces 86 are secured.Thus, spring 100 serves to to bias framework 90 against movement aboutthe horizontal axis of pin 96.

A washer 104 is rigid with rod 94 and provides a bearing surface for acoil spring 106. Rod 94 is telescoped through spring 106 and the latterserves to bias the rod downwardly into its crack-engaging position. Theuppermost end of rod 94 defines an islet 108 to which a cable 110 issecured for lifting the rod against the force of spring 106. The otherend of cable 110 is secured to an appropriate handle grip (not shown)adjacent one of the handlebars 24.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the entire housing 38 is mounted upon anupright rod 108 which is journaled in a collar 110 that is rigidlysecured to framework 18 through an arm 112. Coil springs 114 aredisposed on either side of rod 108 and are secured to the framework 18and to housing 38 respectively.

In operation, tank 30 is filled with a fluid material which is intendedto be applied to surface 14 for filling crack 16 or other depressions inthe surface. Burner 46 is placed in operation to provide a heat sourcein direct heat exchange relationship with structure 42. As an operatorpulls on handle grip 65 material will commence to flow through thepassage presented by bore 48 and out of the delivery structure 42 ontosurface 14. Because of the highly heat conductive nature of the block,the material will readily flow through bore 48. Also, the heat radiatedfrom structure 42 raises the temperature substantially within housing 38to assure that the material remains highly fliud in conduit 44.Thermocouple stops the flow of fuel to the burner in the event the flameis extinguished. Hand valve 84 is operated to select the desiredtemperature level of the burner.

Projection rod 94 normally assumes its extended position into crack 16to facilitate guiding of apparatus 10. Manifestly, with rod 94 in thecrack, and freely pivotal wheel 22-at the front of vehicle 12, littleeffort is required on the part of an operator to steer the machine andmaintain outlet 58 directly over crack 16. The rod is preferablyconstructed of a very hard material such as tungsten or a steel alloycapable of withstanding substantial forces. By virtue of the fact thatthe outlet 58 is immediately adjacent rod 94, and both the rod andoutlet opening are mounted for pivotal movement about the vertical axisof rod 108, any slight variation in the direction ofcrack 16 will resultin reorientation of outlet opening 58. Thus the fluid material is alwaysdirected into the crack and spillage onto surface 14 is minimized.Movement of housing 38 along with rod 94 and delivery structure 42 aboutthe vertical axisof rod 108 is illustrated by the broken line positionsin FIG. 5.

If the projecting end of rod 94 should strike an unyielding object incrack 16, the entire framework will pivot about the horizontal axis ofpin 96 as illustrated by the phantom position for framework 90 in FIG.2. .This will normally allow the projecting end of rod 94 to pass overthe object, although if crack 16 becomes completely closed, cable 110may be pulled to raise rod 94 against the action of spring to completelylift the projecting end out of the crack. Return of the projecting endof rod 94 to its normally vertical position perpendicular to the planeof surface 14 is assured by virtue of coil spring 100. Likewise, springs114 assure return of the entire housing 38 to its normal positionparallel to framework 18 after deflection caused by a change in thedirection of track 16. It is desirable that the horizontal and verticalaxes of pivotal movement of the rod 94 be disposed in spacedrelationship to avoid complete universal" movement of the rod 94 whichwould make it more difficult to guide the apparatus and maintain the rodin crack 16.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

1. Apparatus for delivering a fluid material to a crack in a surface forfilling the crack, said apparatus comprising:

a vehicle adapted to be moved over the surface along the crack;

a source of said fluid material carried by said vehicle;

crack follower structure mounted on said vehicle and adapted to extenddown into saidcrack;

said structure being mounted for pivotal movement about horizontal andvertical axes while precluding movement other than about said axes;

means coupled with said structure and said vehicle for biasing saidstructure against movement about either of said axes whileyielding'under force to allow said movement; and

conduit structure coupled with said source for receiving materialtherefrom,

said conduit structure including means presenting an outlet openingadjacent said crack follower structure and in rearwardly spacedrelationship thereto relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle,the means presenting said outlet opening being coupled with the crackfollower structure for move ment along the path of the crack as thevehicle moves over the surface.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said vehicle comprises a pair ofaligned wheels disposed for engagement with said surface, and a thirdwheel spaced forwardly of the vehicle from said aligned wheels, andthird wheel being freely rotatable about a vertical axis whereby tofacilitate steering of the vehicle.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein is included means for biasing saidfollower structure into the crack and means for raising said followerstructure out of said crack against the force of the follower structurebiasing means to clear an obstruction in the crack.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said vehicle includes a pair ofhandles extending upwardly and away from said surface and adapted to begrasped by an operator to steer the vehicle, said handles comprising abracket adapted to be placed over the endgate of a truck for supportingthe vehicle when it is transported by a truck.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said conduit structure comprisesheat conductive material delivery means and wherein is included a heatsource for raising the temperature of the delivery means to a levelsufficient to maintain said material in a fluid state when the ambienttemperature drops to a level which would otherwise preclude satisfactoryflow.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said conduit structure comprises ablock having a through-bore presenting a passageway for said materialand terminating in said outlet opening, and said heat source is indirect heat exchange relationship with said block.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein is included conduit means couplingsaid through-bore with said source, and structure at least partiallyenclosing said block, said heat source and said conduit means, wherebythe heat from said source also raises the temperature of the conduitmeans within the housing to facilitate the flow of material through theconduit means.

8. The invention of claim 7, wherein is included valve means disposed insaid through-bore for controlling the flow of material therethrough.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein said valve means comprises a secondbore intersecting the firstmentioned bore, and a plunger disposed insaid second bore, said plunger being operable to block thefirstmentioned bore in varying degrees.

10. The invention of claim 5, wherein said conduit structure comprisesan aluminum block having a through-bore presenting a passageway for saidmaterial and terminating in said outlet opening, and said heat sourcecomprises a burner and a source of fuel for the burner, the flame of theburner being directed against said aluminum block.

11. The invention of claim 10, wherein said source of material includesinsulated tank means for containing said fluid material, there being anopening in the tank means through which the material passes to saidthrough-bore, said tank means being disposed above said block, saidthrough-bore having a generally vertical segment beneath said openingand a generally horizontal segment extending away from said verticalsegment whereby the length of the bore is maximized to maximize thedistance traveled by said material passing through said block.

12. The invention of claim 11, wherein is included heat control meanscoupled with said burner for adjusting the output of the burner to varythe temperature in said housing in accordance with the flow requirementsof the material.

1. Apparatus for delivering a fluid material to a crack in a surface forfilling the crack, said apparatus comprising: a vehicle adapted to beMoved over the surface along the crack; a source of said fluid materialcarried by said vehicle; crack follower structure mounted on saidvehicle and adapted to extend down into said crack; said structure beingmounted for pivotal movement about horizontal and vertical axes whileprecluding movement other than about said axes; means coupled with saidstructure and said vehicle for biasing said structure against movementabout either of said axes while yielding under force to allow saidmovement; and conduit structure coupled with said source for receivingmaterial therefrom, said conduit structure including means presenting anoutlet opening adjacent said crack follower structure and in rearwardlyspaced relationship thereto relative to the direction of travel of thevehicle, the means presenting said outlet opening being coupled with thecrack follower structure for movement along the path of the crack as thevehicle moves over the surface.
 2. The invention of claim 1, whereinsaid vehicle comprises a pair of aligned wheels disposed for engagementwith said surface, and a third wheel spaced forwardly of the vehiclefrom said aligned wheels, and third wheel being freely rotatable about avertical axis whereby to facilitate steering of the vehicle.
 3. Theinvention of claim 1, wherein is included means for biasing saidfollower structure into the crack and means for raising said followerstructure out of said crack against the force of the follower structurebiasing means to clear an obstruction in the crack.
 4. The invention ofclaim 1, wherein said vehicle includes a pair of handles extendingupwardly and away from said surface and adapted to be grasped by anoperator to steer the vehicle, said handles comprising a bracket adaptedto be placed over the endgate of a truck for supporting the vehicle whenit is transported by a truck.
 5. The invention of claim 1, wherein saidconduit structure comprises heat conductive material delivery means andwherein is included a heat source for raising the temperature of thedelivery means to a level sufficient to maintain said material in afluid state when the ambient temperature drops to a level which wouldotherwise preclude satisfactory flow.
 6. The invention of claim 5,wherein said conduit structure comprises a block having a through-borepresenting a passageway for said material and terminating in said outletopening, and said heat source is in direct heat exchange relationshipwith said block.
 7. The invention of claim 6, wherein is includedconduit means coupling said through-bore with said source, and structureat least partially enclosing said block, said heat source and saidconduit means, whereby the heat from said source also raises thetemperature of the conduit means within the housing to facilitate theflow of material through the conduit means.
 8. The invention of claim 7,wherein is included valve means disposed in said through-bore forcontrolling the flow of material therethrough.
 9. The invention of claim8, wherein said valve means comprises a second bore intersecting thefirst-mentioned bore, and a plunger disposed in said second bore, saidplunger being operable to block the first-mentioned bore in varyingdegrees.
 10. The invention of claim 5, wherein said conduit structurecomprises an aluminum block having a through-bore presenting apassageway for said material and terminating in said outlet opening, andsaid heat source comprises a burner and a source of fuel for the burner,the flame of the burner being directed against said aluminum block. 11.The invention of claim 10, wherein said source of material includesinsulated tank means for containing said fluid material, there being anopening in the tank means through which the material passes to saidthrough-bore, said tank means being disposed above said block, saidthrough-bore having a generally vertical segment beneath said openingand a generally horizontal segment extending away from said vertIcalsegment whereby the length of the bore is maximized to maximize thedistance traveled by said material passing through said block.
 12. Theinvention of claim 11, wherein is included heat control means coupledwith said burner for adjusting the output of the burner to vary thetemperature in said housing in accordance with the flow requirements ofthe material.